Renault Twingo Gordini
I’m still grinning. If ever I’ve enjoyed testing a car, this was it.
The Renault Twingo Gordini (RS) – to give it its full name – may not be the quickest, most well-appointed, nor practical vehicle out there, but I don’t care. It is fun.
And in these days of correctness and worry, occasionally it is good to be able to let your hair down and enjoy a car for the car’s sake, not see it as a necessary tool.
The Gordini won’t win prizes for top speed, ride comfort or versatility, but who cares? What it does, it does well.
At R215 000, it isn’t your average day-to-day car, but it doesn’t pretend to be.
Styling, in homage to the great Gordini racers of the past, may be a touch over-the-top to some, but the subtlety of some of the features also shows this isn’t a boy-racer kit car, this is a vehicle with a fine pedigree.
The Gordini is instantly recognizable with twin white ‘racing’ stripes, white mirrors, big white surrounds for the front air scoops-cum-foglights, and a white mini-spoiler on the hatch. But those stripes are’t plain white - a relief in the print hints at the lineage; and there is discreet use of Gordini and RS badges elsewhere on the car. Quite in-your-face, but this isn’t a shrinking violet.
Inside, the racing theme continues. The stripes are mirrored on the steering wheel; the seats and doors feature blue panels and stritching; and the rev counter ‘blue-lines’, instead of the traditional red.
The gearknob is also metallic blue, but strangely doesn’t feature a shift pattern graphic. So your first attempt to find reverse can be fun. (right and downwards, by the way…)
The model we drove had an (optional) panoramic roof, which has a handy ‘favourite’ control – which will open it to your desired position with just a single touch.
But you aren’t interested in all that, are you?
With the 16v 1.6 litre engine developing 98kW and 160Nm, the Gordini goes like a rocket - remember, the base model Twingo comes with a 45kW 1.2 mill - and with the chassis arguably one of the best in the business, you can keep the power on through the twisty bits, if you are so inclined.
The larger wheels and lo-profile tyres (195/40R17) help as well, and though I’m not inclined to push the envelope that often, the Twingo certainly instills confidence with its sure-footedness.
Pottering round town, the ‘easiness’ of the bigger engine and five-speed box are on par with most other small hatches, but given the opportunity to push the loud pedal, the acceleration is quite astounding. A gearshift light flashes at 6750rpm, and from about 3500 rpm upwards, the Gordini certainly pulls. The exhaust note becomes a growl, the torque builds, and the little car starts to show its roots. The grin just widens as you whip through the gears, and the schoolboy in you screams to be let out. Traffic circles? No problem – use 450 degrees to turn left! Freeways? Fun to see what blazing acceleration this thing has. The Gordini is there to be enjoyed.
The downside, though, is the punishment I took. On rough roads, the bumps transmitted right into my skeleton, and after a week, I was feeling decidedly creaky. That exhaust note, though charming at first, isn’t conducive to freeway speeds – 4000rpm at the national speed limit means this is NOT a long-distance option – and the radio is so feeble, you can’t even drown it out with some music!
But in the pre-dawn hours, with the stars shining through the open roof, and an open strip of tarmac ahead, who cares about trivial issues? Certainly not me. I was too busy smiling.
Engine: 1598cc four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power (kW) 98 @ 6750rpm
Torque (Nm) 160 @ 4400rpm
0-100km/h 8.7s (claimed)
Fuel economy: You're kidding, right?
Price R214 900
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Renault Twingo Renaultsport - Gordini time! - Stuu
